Perforator for master-sheets.



LLB. ROBERTS.

PERFORATOR FOR MASTER SHEETS.

. APPLICATION HLED'NOVJQ, 1912. 1.177.139.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR'.

; WITNESSES:

L. R ROBERTS.

PERFORATOR FOR MASTER SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-29,19. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

w m a E WITNESSES:

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I L. R. ROBERTS PERFORATOR FOR MASTER sums.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, I9I2.

Patented Mar. 28,

kw Q

L. R. ROBERTS.

..PERFORATOR FOR MASTER SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.29,19 12.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4 w INVENTOR.

may

LYMAN R. ROBERTS, or RITITHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 UNDERWOOD TYPE- WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PERFORATOR FOR MASTER-SHEETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, LYMAN R. ROBERTS. a citizen of the United States, residing in Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements-in Perforators for Master-Sheets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a perforator for preparing master members to be used in connection with automatic typewriter operators, such as that described in my application, Ser. No. 680,586, and is more especially related to a type of machine adapted to perforate cards.

This application is an improvement on the patent to myself and C. L. Davis, No. 953,180, granted March 29, 1910.

It has been found desirable in practice, where it is necessary to keep a number of different names and addresses in a form suitable to reproduce the same when running an automatic typewriter operator, to utilize a series of separate master cards for controlling the automatic typewriter operator.

'An object therefore of this invention is to providean automatic perforator, which by striking the keys of a keyboard somewhat similar to the keys of a typewriter, will produce in a blank card apertures corresponding to the operation of the various parts of the typewriter when this perforated card is subsequently run through the automatic operator for the typewriter.

In the embodiment used to illustrate the invention, perforating punches individual to the several keys of a bank of keys are actuated by a common hammer, which is set in motion when any of the keys are actuated, by striking interponents raised by corresponding keys to a position between the hammer and the corgeesponding punch. The clippings or pieces of cut-out material are caught by a receptacle arranged in such a position that the punches as they act will force the clippings into the receptacle.

The card to be punchedlis carried preferablyby a feeder, which has an automatic step-by-step escapement movement, so as to advance the card a step .after each perforation. 7 .This escapement mechanism is arranged so that it can be released to enable the card to have a jump movement in case it is desired to remove the card from the perforator before the limit of capacity for perforations of the same has been reached.

A further object of this invention is to enable an operator to translate the perforations immediately after they are made, so that he can judge whether the same are-correct or not. This object is accomplished by placing a lettered index in juxtaposition to the perforating means, and arranging the feeder for the card so that it will feed the card immediately after perforating, to bring the last made perforation right up to the index in alinement with the character inclicatingthe kind of operation which the perforation will produce when the card is subsequently used in an automatic operator for a typewriter.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical secticnal view from front to rear, showing the parts of the perforator in their inactive position with a card partly fed up as if it had received a number of perforations. Fig. 2 is a detached perspective view of the receptacle for receiving the clippings or cut-out pieces of material from the perforator. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the escapement mechanism for the feeder. Fig. 4 is a detail section of the clutch for connecting theescapement wheel to the feeding shaft. Fig. 5 is a skeleton perspective view showing the relation of the hannner-controlling and actuating mechanism to the card feeder and holder. Fig. 6 is a disassembled perspective view of one of the clamps for holding the card in position on the feeder or holder. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing one of the interponents in its raised position ready to be struck by the hammer. Fig. Sis a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the interponent forced forward .by the hammer. so as to force the associated puncher through the card. Fig. 9 is a detached view of the scale which is arranged in j uxtapositicn to the perforating means, so that the perforations on the master card can be readily translated into the particular type of work, which they are adapted to control. Fig. 10 is a skeleton perspective view of the hammer and the electrical connections to the electromagnets for operating the same. Fig.11 is a detail view of the holder, showing a card in position thereon with one of the clamps in its raised or inactive position and the other of the clamps in its depressed or clamping position. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the spring drum which furnishes the motive power for automatically feeding the holder step by step. Fig. 13"is a detail of the escapement mechanism for controlling the step-by-step movement of the feeder. Fig.

14 is a detail sectional view of the clamp and its detent, showing the clam in its raised or inactive position. Fig. 1s a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the clamp in its depressed or active position. Fig. '16 is a v fragmentary plan View of the machine as a perforation corresponding to atabulating movement ofthe carriage.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts as embodied in the form shown in the drawings, 1 indicates numeral and character keys which are mounted on key levers 2, pivoted intermediate their ends, as at 3, and engaging at their rear ends with selecting interponents 4, so as to raise the latter to bring heads 5 thereon in opposition to punches 6 -slidingly mounted-in a guide or guiding-block 7. The punches 6 are arranged in opposition to die-openings 8 in a die-block 9, so that when the inter-- ponents 4 are raised by their associated keys, a hammer 10 can be actuated to hit the interponents and thus force the punches 6 through the. master card 11 being perforated, and mounted so asto pass in a slot 12 located between the guide-block 7 and the die-block 9. The clippings or cut-out pieces of material which are thus forced from the body of the card, pass through the die openings 8 which widen out at their rear, and shoot into a waiting receptacle 13 closed on all but one side where it is provided with an opening 14, which is arranged in opposition to the openings in the'die-block 9.

It will be noticed that the floor of the openings in the die-block slopes downwardly, so that the clippings or cut1outpieces of material will naturally gravitate into the waiting receptacle. These,openmgs may also flare upwardly to prevent any clogging ofthe clippings therein.

The receptacle 13 is preferably so arranged that it can be readily detached and lifted from its receiving position, by a air of handles 15on opposite ends thereo so that the contentscan be readily disposed of.

For this purpose, the top of the receptacle projects beyond the body portion, so as to form a pair of overhanging flanges 16, having slots 17 therein. These flanges overlie the die-block 9 to which they are secured by detachable binding screws 18. The punches 6 are retrieved after actuation by levers 120, which are pivoted intermediate their ends and engaged by return springs 121, an extent determined by inwardly-turned lugs 122 which engage the guide-blocok 7.

The hammer 10 is, in this instance, shown to be electrically actuated, and for this purpose is shown in the form of a bell crank lever consisting of an inverted U-shaped striker 19 secured to a shaft 20, on which are also provided a pair of arms 21 having at their ends, 'armatures 22 arranged to be drawn in contact with cores 23 of a pair of spaced electromagnets 24.

An electric current is' caused to flow through the magnets 24 from any suitable source represented by the circuit wires 25, when any -of the keys 1 are depressed to bring interponents 4 in between the punches 6 and the hammer 10. To accomplish this, there is provideda fixed electrical contact 26 and a moving contact 27 carried by a switch arm 28. The switch arm 28 is mounted on a rock shaft'29, on which is also located a universal frame 30, having a transverse universal bar 31 overlying all of the .key-levers 2, at their rear ends, so that when any of these key-levers are actuated the bar 31 will be raised to bring the contact 27 in engagement with the contact 26. When the contacts 26 and 27 arebrought in engagee ment with 'each other, circuits 32 and 33 will be closed, to connect the electromagnets 24 in parallel in the circuit 25. A condenser 34 will also be connected in this circuit between the contacts 26 and 27 to increase the capacity and prevent sparking at the con-' tacts.

When pressure on the actuated key lis released, the circuit is broken by having the particular raised key lever, returned to its normal position by the corresponding interponent'4, thereby permitting the bar 31 and other p'artson the rock shaft 29 to be re-. turned by gravity and thus separate the con tacts 26, 27 The interponent 4 is returned to normal position by a universal return-bar 35, which lies in a series of cut-out channels-.36, one of which is provided in each of the interponents 4. The universal returnbar 35 is mounted on arms 37, which are secured to a rock shaft 38, and are normally forced down in a, position to hold the bar 35 in its lowermost position, by means of a spring 39, which overlies one of the arms 37 and is coiled about the rock shaft 38.

It will be noted in passing, that the inter to beusfed to control essential to move the card gage bars 42 and 43, respectively, common to all of the interponents. The slot 41 is shown to be vertically extending in contradistinction to the slot 40, which, it will be noted, is in the form of a triangle, with its apex extending upwardly. This is to cause the interponents to assume a certain definite vertical position when depressed, causing them to be rigidly held in this position against transverse movem nt, but admitting of a swinging movement 0 the interponents, when they are raised to bring the base of the triangular slot 40 up to the bar 42.

In addition to the normal numeral and character keys 1, there are provided other keys which correspond to various operations of the typewriter. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 16, among these other keys, there is a space-bar key 44, which is secured to arms/i5 mounted on a shaft 46 and one which is engaged by a coil spring 47, so as to normally hold the space-bar key 44 in its raised position. The space-bar key 44 is provided with a rejection 48, having a pin 49 overlying a ever-bar 50, similar to the lever bars 2, and provided with a corresponding interponent, similar to the interponents 4. Other keys which are provided in addition to these keys, are a carriage-return key 51, an upper-case shift-on key 52, an upper-case shift-0H key 53 (i. 6., a key to shift to lower case), a stop key 54, a control shift key 55, a tabulating key 56, and a card-positioning key 57. All ofithese specifically-mentioned keys are mounted on keylevers similar to the keys 1, and actuate interponents to be mer 10 to operate punches like the punch 6, to produce perforations in the master card The punch 6 corresponding to most of the keys, is preferably provided with a reduced portion 58, which is cylindrical to form a circular aperture in the card. One of the punches, however,indicated in Fig. 18, at 59, which-corresponds to the tabulating key, is so formed that itwill, in place of making a circular aperture, produce an aperture elongated in the direction of thefeed of the card, 'so as to afford alonger period of action for tabulating than for other actions, when the card is being'used to control the actions of a typewriter. Asv will be seen by reference to Fig. 18, this formation of the punch is produced by reducing the punch on two sides only, forming a reduced nib considerablythinner than the body of the punch, with flat parallel sides.

Inasmuch as the card being perforatedfis which, for the most part, take place in different successive periods, as, for example, strikingcharacter keys successively, it is past the perforatmg. means including the,

raised to enable the ham-- actions of a typewriter,

punches 6, after each perforation has been produced. To

movement of the card and the side reaches of the frame ment.

The card is inserted in the holder from the top, and in order to movement of the card relative to the holder, there are provided on the latter one or more clamps 62, in this instance, two being shown, mounted for movement on a transverse bar 63 connecting the side reaches of the frame and having lugs 64 to prevent a snapping of the middle portion of the card out of the holder. As will be seen 1 and 6, each of these clamps is provided with a groove 65 in its bottom edge arranged to be brought in engagement with the top will prevent transverse moveedge of the card. to prevent movement therea slot 67 in the transverse bar 63. This enables the clamp to play in a guide-way 68, but also permits the clamp to be held in a raised position when not in use, by lugs 69 on the clamp engaging ledges 70 on the transverse bar 63 of the holder. The clamp is held in its adjusted 71. which engages sockets 72 and 73 for its active and inactive positions, respectively. The detent'71 is loosely mounted by a pin 74. which engages an opening 75 in the transverse bar 63, and is held in locking engagement with the clamp 62 by a spring 76, which encircles the pin 66, and is thus common to the clamp and the detent, so that it serves as a single spring means for the two elements. In order to enable the relative movement between the clamp and I the detent, the detent is slotted, as at 77, so

.vertical reaches of the holder arecprovided with racks 78, which engage pinions 79 on a. ,motor-driven'shaft 80., The shaft 80 is provided with a pinion 81" engaging a gear 82 connected to a motor in the form of a spring drum 83. The initial tension on the prevent upward by reference to Figs. 7

position by a detent spring drum 83 may be adjusted by means of a hand crank 84, and retained by a double detent 85. Complete tension, however, is not generally placed on the drum 83, but the card is inserted in the holder when the latter is in raised position, and the holder' is then depressed so that the racks by engaging the gears 79, rotate the shaft 81, to rotate the gear82, and thusstore u potential energy in the spring drum 83. hen the springdrum is thus tensioned and the card is in its lowered position ready toreceive the .initial perforation adjacent the top edge thereof, the shaft 80 will be locked' by a clutch 88 (Figs. 4 and 5), where it is splined on the shaft 80 and normally held in its active or clutching position by a-spring 89, but capable of being movedto its disengaged position by "ahand lever 90. The rotation of the escapement wheel 87 is controlled by a fixed pawl 91 and a springdrawn pivoted pawl 92 mounted on a rock shaft 93. The rock shaft 93 is provided with an arm 94:, which is connected by a link 95 to an arm 96 secured to the hammer 10.- A spring 97 normally holds the loose or pivoted pawl 92 in engagement with the esca ementwheel 87, and aids the weight of tie parts in holding the hammer 10 in its inactive position resting against a cushion 98. It will thus be seen that whenever the hammer is actuated, it will rock the shaft 93 to slip the loose pawl 92 out of engagement with the escapement wheel 87, bring the fixed pawl into engagement with this wheel, and permit the loose pawl 92 to snap forward under the tension of a spring, to engage the next succeeding tooth of the escapement wheel, thereby enabling a rotation of the shaft 80 on the return movement of the hammer 10 when the fixed. pawl is released from the tooth of the escapement wheel with which it engages. It will be noted in passing, that'this feeding movement of the holder, and thus of the card, takes place after the perforation has been made and during the return movementpf the hammer and the key which caused the actuation of the same. It will be seen that the hammer 10.

clicking the escapement wheel 87 past its pawl. Another use to which it may be put, is to enable a jump'movement of the holder with its card to a raised position without an actuation of any of the keys, as in case it is desired to remove a spoiled card or in case the card has been finished without using all its available surface. The escapement wheel 87 maybe held from accidental movement (see Fig. 3) by means of a detent 101, which engages the teeth of the same.

It may often be desirable to provide for a blank space in the master card 11, that is, to feed the card without perforating it, in case it should be necessary to have perforations corresponding to successive operations at greater than normal distances from'each other. To this end, the key-board of the perforator is provided with'a blank-space key 102, which is mounted on a lever 103, normally held in a raised position by a. spring 104. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 1, that this lever is a short one and does not extend under the universal bar 31, and is not associated with an interponent 1, so that it is incapable of producing a perforation in the master card. It does, however, overlie a pin 105, on an arm 106, which is secured to the rock shaft 29, so that it will swing the switch arm 28 upwardly, to enable an engagement between the contacts 26 and 27, thus completing the circuits through the magnets 2 l, to produce an acutation of Inasmuch as no interponent, however, is raised between the hammer and the punches, there will be no perforation produced. Nevertheless, since the hammer is connected to operate the escapement mechanism, this escapement mechanism will be released to permit a step movement of the feeding mechanism, and thus a step movement of the card 11.

It will be apparent by reference to Fig. 1, that the perforations in the master card 11 are produced by the punches 6 at a point which would be at. least difficult to see, if not entirely concealed from view. In order that the operator may ascertain whether the proper perforations have been made, so as to make theperforator a visible one, the feeding action, as stated above, takes place immediately after the perforation. This upwardly feeding movement of the card 11 is sufficient to bring the latest-made perfora tion up to view above the guide-block 7.

In order that the meaning of a perforation, that is, the particular work which it controls, may be readily translated, there is provided an index 107 supported in juxtaposition to the perforating'means and to the master card 11 at such a point that the feeding means for the card will bring the latestcome together on a further-movement of the performed.

The particular form of the index may be seen by referenceto Fi 9, wherein it will be apparent 'that the f ollowing characters are found thereon in the named order corre sponding to the actuation of like keys of the typewriteri Q A 2 Z RF5VTG6BYH7NUJ8 When a capital or upper-case character is to be made, the shift-on key 52 will be depressed first, so as to produce a perforation 1n advance of the particular aperture corresponding to the upper-case character.-

This perforation is indicated by the characterllctt-srs 8 (108) in Fig. 9. If but a single upper-case character is written, a change may be made by a depression of the shift-off key 53, to produce a perforation corresponding to the release key, permitting the carriage to be lowered.

This perforation may be translated on the index in Fig. 9, by the character letters S (109). The index also indicates the char- .acter of action of other perforations, as follows:card-positioner carriage-return g); tabulating key 2),- control, shift p nd space-ke in the upper sockets 72. The clutch 88 may the cl then be released to avoid clicking movement of the pawls, and the holder forced down to its lowermost position, so that almost the very top of the card will lie in opposition to the row of punches 6. The keys may then be struck to produce perforations in the card, which will correspond to the desiredpiece .of work which the card will subsequentlyreproduce when placed in an automatic typewriter operator.

As each of the character keys is actuated, it forces up the associated selecting interponent in apposition to the corresponding punch 6, so that when the contacts 26 and 27 key, the hammer 10 will strike the interponent, to force the punch throu h the card; ippings or cut-out pieces of material falling into the waiting receptacle 13.

turned to its normal W.S3.XED4C.

of the permanent shift.

to feed the .the blank-space key 102. which When the key is released the circuit will e broken and the actuated interponent reposition. The hammer to its position resting that the rigid pawl 91,

will likewise return on the cushion 98, so

which was forced into engagement with the escapement wheel during the down stroke of the. key. and the forward stroke of the hammer, will now be moved out of engagement therewith. and the pivoted springpressed pawl 92, which during thedown stroke of the key was released to spring forward into engagement with the next escape- .ment tooth, will slip back with the escape ment wheel, a distance of one tooth. locking it when this-amount of movement has been finished. This permits the shaft 80 to rotate a corresponding amount and permits a single step movement of the h lder 60 upward, so that an entirely new blank line is brought in apposition to the row of punches 6. Thiscccurs repeatedly. As ea h key is pressed it causes the operation of a corresponding punch, which produces a perforation in the card,'the latter being fed up antomatically after receiving this perforation, a sufficient distance to bring the perforat on therein in register with the index 107. so

. that the operator by merely glancing at the 1 character with which the latest perforation is in alinement. can determine whether the acti n'was correct or not.

If a perforation corresponding to any other action than writing a character or letter is desired. such as returning the carriage. 1

like. the corpc-sitioning a new card. or the responding key on the kevoard can be actuated with the desired result.

If. for any reason, it should be desired master card without producing a perforation; it is merely necessary to press will bring about an engagement of the contacts 26 and 27, to actuate the hammer, and thus release the escapement mechanism without the interposition of a selecting interponent between the hammer and the punches, and,

ence, without any perforating action.

When the desired subject-matter has been represented on the master card by a series of perforations. the holder can be brought up to its raised position quickly by actuating the lever 90 to release the clutch 88, at which point the card can be readily removed from the holder by releasingthe clamps 62. A new card can be placed in position and the operation repeated as often as desired.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. The combination with having a series of die-openings therein through which the material cut out by the perforating means is ejected, of a receptacle for catching said material, said receptacle abutting the die-block and formed with a single opening, said opening extending along the dieblock opposite the die-openings, and closed by the die-block except at the die-openings, and means for detachably securing said receptacle in position, whereby said receptacle can be removed to empty the material through said opening.

2. The combination with perforating means, of a receptacle for receiving the material-cut out by said perforating means, said receptacle being closed at the top and bottom and open solely at one side, and said receptacle being removably held in position with its open side abutting said perforating means, so as to readily' receive the cut-out pieces of material therefrom.

3. The combination with a perforating means. of a receptacle for receiving thecutout pieces of material from said perforating means, said receptacle having a flange with slots therein. and binding screws engaging said slots to detachably secure said receptacle in position.

4. The combination with a die-block having a series of openings therein, of a series of punches cooperating with the openings in said die-block, to perforate a master member, a receptacle having an open side abutting against the rear of said die-block, so as to receive the cut-out pieces of material coming through the openings in said die-block, said receptacle having its top projecting over said die-block, and means for removably securing said receptacle in position by engagement with said top.

The combination with perforating means. of a receptacle for receiving the cutout pieces of material from said perforating means, means for detachably securing said receptacle in juxtaposition to said perforatin g means, and handles extending from opposite ends of said receptacle to enable said receptacle to be lifted from said perforating means.

0. The combination With perforating means, of a card-feeder for moving a master card past said perforating means, said cardfeeder comprising an open frame having grooves in the sides thereof to receive the side edges of a card and permitting the card to he slid endwise into said frame, said frame comprising a stop for the leading end edge of the card as it is slid into position in the frame, a. clamp shiftably mounted on the frame for movement into and out of position to engage the opposite end edge of the card to thereby detachably secure the card in a fixed position in the frame, and means to automatically lock the clamp in card-holding position.

7. The combination with perforating means, of a card-feeder for moving a master card past said perforating means, said cardfeeder comprising an open frame having grooves in the sides thereof to receive the side edges of a card and permitting the card to he slid endwise into said f'ame, said frame having an end provided with a groove to receive the leading edge of a card as it is slid into position in the frame, and clamping means mounted on the other end of the frame and provided with a groove for the opposite edge of the card, said clamping means shiftable into and out of position for holding the card in the frame, whereby the card may be held in the frame with all of its edges seated in said grooves.

8. The combination with perforating means, of a card-feeder for moving a card past said perforating means, said cardfeeder comprising an open frame having a groove therein along one side to receive one edge of said card, one or more clamps arranged on the opposite side of said cardfeeder from said groove and shiftable on the card-feeder into and out of position for holding said card in said groove, and means for automatically locking the clamp or clamps in card-holding position, said clamp or clamps also being grooved to receive the edge of the card opposite said first-mentioned edge, said grooves formed to prevent any material play of the card therein.

9. The combination with perforating means, of a card-feeder for moving a card past said perforating means, said cardfeeder provided with parallel grooves forming guideways for opposite edges of a card as it is slid into position on the card-feeder, said card-feeder comprising a-stop for the leading edge of the card as it is slid into position thereon, a clamp formed with a groove to engage the opposite edge of the card to secure it in position in the cardfeeder, said clamp shiftable from card-holding position into position to release the card and permit its. removal from the cardfeeder, and means for yieldingly holding the clampin b th positions permitting the clamp to be shifted from either one to the other of said positions by the sole operation of applying a pressure to the clamp in its shifting direction.

10. The combination with card-perforating means, of a card-feeder for supporting a card When moved by said perforating means, said card-feeder comprising an open rectangular frame having grooves in the opposite sides and along one end-for engaging the sides and one end edge of a card placed in said frame, and clamps mounted on the opposite end of the frame and formed with the grooves to receive the corresponding edge of the card when the clamps are in clamping position, said clamps shiftable into and out of card-clamping position.

11. The combination with card-perforating means, of a card-feeder for supporting a card when moved by said perforating means, said card-feeder comprising an open rectangular frame having grooves in the opposite sides and along one end for engaging the sides and one end edge of a card placed in said frame, clamps mounted on the opposite end of the frame and. formed withthe grooves to receive the corresponding edge of the card When the clamps are in clamping position, said clamps shiftable into and out-of card-clamping position, and springactuated detent means to hold'the clamps in both sheet-clamping and sheet-releasing positions.

12. The combination with a holder for supporting a master card to be perforated, of a clamp adjustable to secure said card on said holder, and a detent for holding said clamp in any adjusted position.

'13. The combination with a holder for supporting a master card to be perforated,

of a clamp for securing said master card in pos1t1on onsaid holder, said clamp being adjustable to secure said card,and having a plurality of sockets therein, and a detent capable of engaging any of said sockets to lock said clamp in any adjusted position.

14. The combination With a holder for supporting-a card to be operated upon, of a clamp for securing said card in position on said holder, said clamp being adjustably mounted. a detent for securing said clamp 35 in any adjusted position, anda spring common to said clamp and said detent, for yiel'din'gly resisting the movement thereof.

15. The combination with a-holder for supporting a card to be operated upon, said holder being in the form of a frame having a groove on one of its inwardly facing margins, to receive one edge of said card, and a plurality of clamps adjustably mounted on said holder and having .grooves therein, to engage an edge of said card to hold said card against accidental movement.

16. 'The combination with afholder for supporting a rectangular card to be operated upon, saidholder -beingin theform. of a frame arranged to closely engage the edges of said card on three sides thereof, and clamping means for engaging'said card on thefoi' lrth edge thereof, so as to hold said card a'gainst accidental movementina11-di 55 rections. j

i 17. The combination with'a hol'der ada-pt-- ed to-support a card, of a clampsfo'r securing-said card in position on saidl1older,; and :a detent for. said clamp havingaloose: pinan'd socket connection with said holder.

'18. The combination With i. perforating meanspof a feederfor moving a card past said. perforating means. amotornorma'lly "65.

tending to actuate said feeder, "locking means for preventing the actuatlonof'sald tending to rotate said feeder, and releasing means for said look ing means.

The combination with perforating means, of keys for actuating said perforating means, a card-feeder for moving a card past said perforating means, means normally tending to actuate said card feeder, and a key-actuated escapement for controlling the movement of said feeder under the impulse of said last-mentioned means.

20. The combination with a of means to perform work on a card contained in the holder,,a rack connected to said card-holder, a gear engaging said rack. a shaftfor said gear, an escapement wheel on said shaft, spring means tending to rotate said shaft, and releasable locking means engaging said escapement wheel.

21; The combination With a. card-holder, of means to perform WOIk on a card contained in the holder, a rack on said holder, a gear engaging said rack, a motor normally gear, locking means for preventing the rotation of said gear, and means for releasing said locking means to permit movement of the card holder.

22. The combination With a card-holder,

of means to perform Work on a card con-- #tained in the holder. a rack on said card- -holder, a. gear engaging said rack, a motor normally tending to rotate saidgear, so as to feed said holder, an escapement for conincluding an escapementshaft, an escapement wheel'loosely-mounted on said shaft, 'mea-ns for controlling the rotation of said escapement 'Whee1,'and a clutch splined on said; shaft for connecting said escapement wheel to said ,shaft,--said clutch being releasable to permit a: rotation of said shaft relative to said escapement wheel.

25. The combination With-a card-holder,

of means? to; perform Work on a card con- 'tained in the holder, a pair of racks on said ":'holder,-..a1 pair of gears engaging said racks, ashaft common to Said gears, asspring drum for rotating said shaft, an escapement-wheel for controlling the movement-of said shaft, and pawls engaging said escapementwheel to control the movement thereof.

26. The combination with means for perforating aqmaster' member at a point concard-holder,

cealed from view, of means for bringing the perforated part of the master member up to view immediately after perforation.

:27. The combination with perforating means for perforating a master member, of an index arranged in juxtaposition to said perforating means and said master member, to enable the translation of the meaning of perforations as they are made in the master member.

28. The combination with perforating means for placing apertures in a master member, of an index arranged in juxtaposition to said perforating means, and having characters thereon corresponding to the various perforations and indicating the character of work which each perforation is to control, and feeding means for bringing each perforation .after having been made, into register with said index, so that the character of each perforation can be readily ascertained.

29. The combination with means for altering the general uniform character of a master member at successive points corresponding to the various different operations to be controlled by the master member, of an index arranged in juxtaposition to said master member, and having characters thereon designating the particular action controlledby each of said points where the uniform character of the master member is altered, whereby the meaning of the master member can be readily translated and read off by re erence to said index.

30. The combination with means for altering the general uniform character of a master member at .successive points corresponding to the various different operations to be controlled by the master member, of an index arranged in juxtaposition to said master member, and having characters thereon designating the particular action controlled by each of said points where the uniform character of the master memher is altered, whereby the meaning of the master member can be readily translated and read off by reference to said index, and feeding means for bringing each point just after it has been altered into register with said index.

31. The combination with perforating mechanism, of keys for controlling the action of said perforatingmechanism, feeding means for a master member to be per forated, an index having characters to designate the meaning of the various perforations in said master member, and'an escapement for said feeding means, controlled from said keys, so as to enable a feeding movement of said feeding means solely after each perforating action of said perforating means incited by said keys.

32. The. combination with perforating means, of feeding means for moving a master member to be perforated past said perforating means, an escapement for said feed ing means, and keys for controlling the action of said perforating means and said escapement, said escapement permitting a feeding movement of said feeding means solely during the return stroke of said keys.

33. The combination with a series of punches, of a series of keys corresponding to said punches, a hammer common to all of said punches and to all of said keys, a series of interponents individual each to a corresponding key and to a corresponding punch, said interponents being movable by said keys between said punches and said hammer, and a cushion for supporting said hammer in its silent position.

34. The combination with a guide, of a punch mounted for movement in said guide,

a power device to actuate the punch, said power device being normally free from the punch, a lever engaging said punch and operated directly thereby during the actuation of the punch by the power device, and a spring engaging said lever to retrieve said 0 punch when the power device is withdrawn after actuating the punch.

35. The combination with a guide, of a punch mounted for a straight line bodily movement in said guide, a power device normally free from the punch and arranged to strike the punch to effect said -movement thereof, a lever loosely engaging said punch and operated directly by the punch during said movement of the punch, and a spring engaging said lever to retrieve said punch, said lever having a lug to limit the return movement of said punch.

36. The combination with perforating means, of a feeder for carrying a mastercard past said perforating means, an escapement for said feeder, including an escapement wheel, a pair of alternately-acting pawls for enabling a step-by-step movement of said feeder, and a detent for preventing the accidental return movement of saidfeeder.

37 The combination with a plurality of punches, of keys corresponding to said punches, a series of interponents corresponding to said keys and to said punches, a guide rod for said interponents, and a hammer common to all of said keys and all of said interponents, said interponents .being connected to be shifted between said punches and said hammerat the actuation of the corresponding key, each of said interponents having a triangular slot to engage said guide rod, so as to permit a swinging movement of'said interponents in their interposed position, and so as to prevent' accidental oscillation in their retired position.

38. The combination with a series of punches, of a holder for supporting a masf mamas ter member in juxtaposition to said lpunches, an escapement for controlling the movement of said holder, a hammer for actuating said punches, and means for controlling said escapement from said hammer.

39. The combination with a key-board having keys with levers arranged in a predetermined order from left to right, of automatic mechanism controlled by said keyboard for altering the general uniform character of a blank member at a plurality of distinct points, to enable'the member to act subsequently as a master member in controlling the operation of a certain other machine or device, and a characterized index arranged in juxtaposition to said member,

so that the altered points therein may come in register with the characters on said index.

40. The combination with a key-board having keys with levers arranged in a predetermined order from left to right, of antomatic mechanism controlled by said keyboard for altering the general uniform character of a blank member at a plurality of distinctpoints, to enable the member to act subsequently as a master member in controlling the operation of a certain other machine or device, and an alphabetical index arranged in juxtaposition to said member, so that the altered points therein may come in register with the characters on said index, said index having the .following characters arranged in the named relation: Q A 2ZWS3XED4CRF5VTG6BYH 7NUJ8MIK9,0L0.P.

41. The combination with a key-board having keys with levers arranged in a predetermined order from left to right, of automatic mechanism controlled by said keyboard for' altering the general uniform character of-a blank member at a plurality of distinct points, to enable the member to act subsequently as a master member in controlling the operation of a certain other machine or device, and an alphabetical index arranged in juxtaposition to said member, so that the altered points therein may come in register with the characters on said index, the characters on said index corresponding to the character keys of said key-board being arranged on said "index in the same order from left to right as the associated levers for said keys are arranged.

42. The combination with a keyboard having keys with levers arranged in a predetermined order from left to right, of automatic mechanism controlled by said keyboard for altering the general uniform character of a blank member'at a plurality of distinct points, to enable the member to act subsequently as a master member in controlling the operation of a certain other machine or device, and an alphabetical index arranged in juxtaposition to said member, so

that the altered points therein may come in register with the characters on said index,

the characters on said index corresponding to the character keys of said key-board belng arranged on sald index in the same order from left toright as the associated levers for matic typewriter operator.

43. The combination with a tabulating key, of a punch for producing an aperture in a master member, and connecting mechanism enabling said tabulating key to actuate said punch, said punch having an elongated perforating end arranged toproduce an elongated aperture -in said master member, whereby when said master member is subsequently used to control the action of an automatic machine, the action controlled by said particular aperture will be, in effect, an appreciable period of time.

44. The combination with perforating means, of keys for controlling the action of said perforating means, connecting mecha nism between, said keys and said perforating means, said perforating means including a punch having a reduced nib of greater mag nitude in one transverse direction than in another, and having faces parallel with its axis of greatest magnitude.

45. The combination with a series of keys, of perforating means controlled by said keys, a universal bar common to all of said keys, enabling the actuation of said perforating means, a blank-space key falling short of said universal bar, and means for enabling said blank-space key to actuate certain parts of said perforating means ineffectively.

46. The combination with an electric circuit, of a series of keys, abar universalto many of said keys for closing said circuit, means individual to certain of said keys for closing said circuit, punches individual to certainof said keys, and means controlled by said circuit for actuating the punches.

47. A- master member perforator including key-controlled means for producing a feeding step' movement of said master member with'theperforating of said master member, key-controlled means for producing solely a feeding step movement of said master member, and means for producing any desired major movement of said master member.

48. The combination with punching mechanism comprising a die-block with a dieopening therethrough, of a receptacle to receive punchings ejected through said opening, said receptacle being closed at its top, bottom and ends, and open solely atone vertical side thereof, said die-block having a keys to cause the actuation of the hammer being formed with grooves on the inner when any key is operated, work-feeding means controlled by said hammer, and means to produce an action of the hammer without operating any of the perforating devices, whereby the work may be fed without the operation of the perforating devices.

50. The combination with perforating means, of a card-holder, a spring motor, and feeding means actuated by the motor for moving said holder with a card therein past said perforating means, and operable to rewind the motor when the card-holder is re-- turned.

51. The combination with a card-holder, of means to perform work one card contained in the holder, a spring drum, and means actuated by the spring drum for feeding said card-holder, said second means forming a driving connection between the card-holder and drum for rewinding the drum.

52. The combination with a card-holder, of means to perform work on a card con-' tained in the holder, means for feeding said I card-holder, a spring drum for actuating said feeding means, said second means being operable to rewind the drum when the cardholder is returned, and means for adjusting the tension on said spring drum.

53. The combination with perforating means, of a.feeder for moving a card past said perforating means, means normally tending to actuate said feeder, escapement mechanism controlling the actuation of said feeder, and means to release the feeder and permit it to move independently of the escapement mechanism.

54. The combination with a card holder, of means to perform work on a card contained in the holder, a rack on the card holder, a motor to move the holder, a pinion in mesh with said rack, a shaftcarrying said pinion, and an escapement device controlling the rotation of said shaft.

55. The combination of a card-holder in the form of an open rectangular frame to engage the edges only of a card, said frame faces of opposite sides and one end thereof, to permit the card to he slid endwise into the frame to a position in which the sides and one end of the card are seated in said grooves, card-locking means mounted on the other end of the frame and shiftable thereon into and out of position to engage the corresponding end of the card and lock it in the frame, and means to perform work on the card while locked in the frame.

56. lhe combination of a card-holder in the form of an open rectangular frame to engage the edges only of a card, said frame being formed with grooves on the inner faces of opposite sides andone end thereof, to permit the card to be slid endwise into the frame to a position in which the sides and one end of the card are seated in said grooves, a clamp formed with a groove to receive the opposite end of the card, said clamp shiftable into and out of card-holding position in which the groove therein registers with said first-mentioned grooves, and means to perform work on the card while in position on the holder.

57. The combination of a card-holder in the form of a rectangular open frame, a grooved clamp attached to one side member of the frame and movable thereon into and out of position to bring the edge of a card within said groove, means to automatically lock the clamp in card-holding position, the opposite side member of said frame having a groove to receive the opposite edge of the card, and means to perform work on the card in the holder.

"58. The combination of a card-holder,

..means to feed it. vertically, a swinging hammer, punches, and means for effecting an operative relation between the punches and the hammer and cause the punches to'be actuated by said hammer and perforate a card on the holder.

59. The combination with card-perforat-.

ing mechanism, of a card-holder, a rack connected to said card-holder, a gear engaging said rack, a shaft for said gear, an escapement wheel on said shaft, spring means tending to rotate said shaft, and locking means engaging said escapement wheel, and releasable to permit the card-holder to be moved relatively to the perforating mechanism.

60. The combination with card-perforating mechanism, of a card-holder, a rack on said holder, a gear engaging said rack, means normally tending to rotate said gear, locking means for preventing the rotation of said gear, and means for releasing said locking means to permit movement of the card-holder.

61. The combination with card-perforatin mechanism, of a card-holder, a rack on said card-holder, a gear engaging said rack, means normally tending to rotate said gear so as to feed said holder, an escapement for controlling the rotation of said gear, and a bank of keys capable of controlling said perforating mechanism and escapement.

62. The combination with card-perforatthe card-holder.

63. The combination with card-perforating mechanism, of a card-holder, a spring drum, and means actuated by the spring drum for feeding said card-holder, said means forming a driving connection between the card-holder and drum for rewin d ing the drum.

64. The combination with card-perforating mechanism, of a card-holder, means for feeding said card-holder, a spring drum for actuating said feeding means, said means being operable to rewind the drum when the card-holder is returned, and means for adjusting the tension on said spring drum.

65. The combination with card-perforating mechanism, of a card-holder, a rack thereon, a motor to move the holder, a pinion in mesh with said rack, a shaft carrying said pinion, an escapement devicecontrolling the rotation ofsaid shaft, and keys for efiecting the operation of the perforating mechanism and escapement device.

66. In a perforating machine, the combination of card-perforating mechanism, a card-holder in the form of an open rectangular frame to engage the edges'only of a card, the opposite sides of the frame being shaped on the inner faces thereof to form guideways permitting the card to be slid into position on the frame by an endwise movement of the card, one end of the frame forming a stopfor the leading edge of the card as it is slid into position, the opposite end of the frame being offset with respect to said guideways to permit the card to be slid into position, and card-holding means on said ;last-mentioned end of the frame shiftable intoposition to engage the end edge of the card, and thereby secure it in position on the frame.

67. In a perforating machine, the combination of card-perforating mechanism, a card-holder in the form of an open rectangular frame to engage the edges only of a card, the opposite sides of the frame being shaped on the inner faces thereof to form guideways permitting the cardto he slid into position on the frame by an endwise movement of the card,.one end of the frame forminga stop for the leading edge of the card as it is slid into position, the opposite end of the frame being offset with respect to said guideways to permit the card to be slid into position, and card-holding means work, means for advancing keys, and a stationary on said last-mentioned end of the frame shiftable into position to engage the end edge of the card, and thereby secure it in position on the frame, said holding means formed with a groove in which the end of the card is seated when the holding means is in operative position, the opposite end of the frame also being provided with a groove to receive the corresponding end of the card, whereby the card is held at each of its edges against any material play or movement in -any direction.

68. The combination with card-perforating mechanism, of a card-holder in the form of a rectangular open frame formed with grooves along the inner faces of opposite sides and one end of the frame, permitting a card to he slid endwise into the frame with its side edges and end edge seated in said grooves, the opposite end of said frame being offset with respect to said grooves topermit the card to be slid into position, a

clamp mounted on said last-mentioned frame end and formed with a groove to receive the corresponding end of the card, said clamp guided to shift from a position at one side of the path of the card as the latter is slid into the frame, to a position in which the groove in the clamp receives the edge of the card, and spring-detent means to hold the clamp in both positions.

69. The combination of a frame to carry the frame step by step to space the work, alphabet keys, work-performing means controlled by said support for the work opposite said work-performing means.

70. The combination of an upstanding frame, alphabet keys, a Work-performing contrivance at the front of said frame and controlled by said keys, a stationary worksupport at the rear of said frame, and means for raising said frame relatively to said work-support to space the work.

71. The combination of an upstanding framehaving means to hold a card on edge in a flat condition, means to guide said frame up and down in a straight line, a work-performing contrivance for engaging the front of a cardheld in said frame, a stationary work-support to engage the rear face of the card, said frame to vary the point at which work is performed thereon.

72. The combination of a frame to carry work, a row of punches arranged to bev on one side of the Work, matrices arranged to be on the opposite side of the work, alphabet keys to control said punches, .and means for and means for adjustingport for the work on the other side of said frame, a rack on said frame, a pinion to engage said rack, and means to operate said pinion to space the work.'

74. The combination of an upstanding frame constructed to carry a card or workpiece in flat condition, means for driving said frame up and down, alphabet keys, a series of work-performing devices controlled by said keys to operate upon the front of the work, a fixed support arranged to present a flat supporting surface in rear of the work for supporting the Work when operated upon, and means for effecting stepby-step movements of said frame to space the work. i

75. The combination with a frame to carry a work-sheet or card, of punching mechanism comprising a series of punches located on one side of the card or work-sheet when the latter is in said frame, keys to operate the punches, a stationary support for the work-sheet or card on the opposite side thereof from said punches to support the work-sheet or card when the punches are operated, and means controlled by the keys to impart a step-by-step movement of the frame to advance the worksheet or card.

76. The combination with a frame to carry a work-piece of sheet material, of punching mechanism comprising a series of punches located on one side of the workpiece when the latter is'in said frame, a stationary support for the work-piece on the opposite side thereof from said punches to support the work-piece when the punches are operated, alphabet keys to operate said punches, and means controlled by said keys to impart a step-by-step movement to the frame to advance the work-piece.

77. The combination with a frameto support a work-sheet or card in a flat condition, of devices on one side of'the sheet or card, to

' perform work thereon, a stationary support on the opposite side to support the worksheet or card when said devices are operated, and step-by-step mechanism to auto- 1 matically advance the work-sheet or card in its own plane step-by-step as said devices are operated, to thereby space the Work.

78. The combination of a rectangular open frame having means to engage the edges of a card or sheet and hold the same in fiat condition in the frame, means for altering the general uniform character of the said sheet orcard-comprising devices to act on the sheet or card and located on'one side ofthe sheet or card, means to operate said devices, a support for the sheet or card on the side opposite said devices for sup,-

porting a card when said devices operate,

and step-by-step feeding mechanism controlled by said operating means for moving said frame to feed the sheet or card forward devices for supporting the work-piece when said devices operate, a set of keys for selectively operating said devices, a motor, and mechanism controlled by said keys to cause the motor to impart a step-by-step movement of the frame in a direction to advance the Work-piece in its own plane.

80. The combination of a frame arranged to hold a card in an upright fiat condition, punches arranged in a transverse row on one side of the card, a stationary support on the opposite side of the card and in juxtaposition to the punches, to support the card when the punches are actuated, a keyboard comprising keys to selectively operate the punches and thereby perforate the card at points whose lateral positions are determined by the selected keys, means controlled by said keys to advance the frame each time a key is actuated, and means to guide the frame in a direction to move the card forward in its own plane when the keys are operated.

81. The combination with a frame to carry a card or Work-sheet, of a row of punches arranged to extend along one side of the card, a die block'positioned to extend along the opposite side of the card and provided with die openings to receive the operated punches, keys to operate the punches, and means operated by the keys to impart a step-by-step movement of the said frame to feed the card forward in a direction perpendicular to the row of punches.

82. The combination of a frame constructed to carry a card or work-piece in fiat condition, alphabet keys, Work-performing means controlled by said keys and arranged on one side of the work-piece in the frame, a stationary support for the workpiece on the side opposite said work-performing means, a rack on the frame, a pinion to engage said rack, means to drive said frame to advance the work-piece, and escapementmechanism operated by said keys means to effect a step-by-step movement of the card, and a stationary support 'on the opposite side.of the card from said perforating devices to support the card when said devices are operated.

84. The combination with perforating means, of a feeder for moving a card or sheet past said perforating means, a stationary support on the opposite side of the card from said perforating means to support the card when said means is operated,

' keys to selectively operate said perforating means, and escapement mechanism to control the operation of said feeder, and thereby effect a step-by-step advance of the card as the keys are actuated.

85. The combination with a series of punches, of a guiding block in which the punches are mounted, a die block formed with die openings .to receive the ends of the punches as the latter are operated, said guiding block and die block being spaced to form a slot or narrow opening through which a card or other Work-sheet may be guided, a frame to support a card extending through said slot, and means to operate the punches.

86. The combination with a series of punches, of a guiding block in which the punches are mounted, a die block formed with die openings to receive the ends of the punches as the latter are operated, said guiding block and die block being spaced to form a slot or narrow opening through which a card or other Work-sheet may be guided, a frame to support a card extending through said slot, keys provided with designating characters and arranged to selectively operate the punches corres onding to the selected characters, and there y per orate the card or work-sheet at points corresponding to the selected character, and means controlled by the keys to carry said frame forward when the keys are operated and thereby feed the card or Work-sheet through said slot.

87. The combination with an upright frame comprising means to support a workpiece in an upright, flat condition thereon, of a set of character keys, devices to strike rearwardly at the front face of the workpiece and individually controlled by said keys for producing impressions on the workpiece corresponding to the actuated keys, and means also controlled by the keys or step movement producing dev1 ces effecting a step-by-step upward movement of said frame to feed the work-piece.

88. The combination ,With an upright frame comprisingmeans to support a workpiece in anupright, fiat condition thereon, of a. set of character keys, devices to strike rearwardly at the front face of the workpiece and, individually controlled by said keys for producing impressions on the workpiece corresponding to the actuated keys, a

motor to move said frame. upwardly for feeding the work, and escapement mechanism controlled by the keys to control said movement of the frame, whereby a step-bystep movement of the frame is effected as the keys are actuated.

89.. The combination with an upright frame comprising means to support a workpiece in an upright, fiat condition thereon, of a set of character keys, devices to strike rearwardly at the front face of the Workpiece and individually controlled by said keys for producing impressions on the workpiece corresponding to the actuated keys, upright racks on said frame, a drive shaft, pinions thereon running in mesh with said racks for raising the frame, means to drive said shaft, and escapement mechanism con- 'trolling the rotation of said shaft and controlled by the keys for causing a step-byof the frame to feed the work-piece.

90. The combination of an upright frame having means to support a work-piece in an upright position, said frame mounted to move up and down, a series of impressionarranged to strike at the front face of the workpiece, said devices having individual striking points, each at a different position transversely of the workpiece, said points arranged in a horizontal row, keys to individually actuate said striking devices, and means controlled by the keys to impart a step-by-step upward movement to said frame,-whereby at each operation of an impressionproducing device, the work-piece isadvanced a step 1n a vertlcal LYMAN R. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

WALTER E. BARNARD, S. A. MAHONEY. 

